Communication apparatus, communication method, eletronic device, control method of the electronic device, and recording medium

• US 20030135539A1
• Filed: 09/19/2002
• Published: 07/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kondo, Tetsujiro, Tange, Akira
• Application Number:
  US10/239,109
• Publication Number:
  US 20030135539A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/201
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/252 Processing of multiple end-users' preferences to derive collaborative data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4113 PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4826 using recommendation lists, e.g. of programs or channels sorted out according to their score
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/488 Data services, e.g. news ticker systems specially adapted for using meteorological information in broadcast systems H04H60/71
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control

Abstract

Value-added information is generated by collecting information relating to apparatuses from a plurality of users, and service is automatically and adaptively provided in a manner that satisfies each user'"'"'s own preference.

Since a second electronic apparatus of a given user is controlled based on control information of a second electronic apparatus of another user to which first electronic apparatus information of the user is similar, electronic apparatus control service is performed in a manner adaptively matching preference of the user without complex signal processing such as user preference analysis. The electronic apparatus of the user is controlled based electronic apparatus information of the similar user with whom the user shares activity information such as transfer and purchases of apparatuses in common, electronic apparatus control service is performed in a manner adaptively matching preference of the user without complex signal processing such as user preference analysis.

Claims

1. A communication apparatus comprising:

receiver means for receiving first electronic apparatus information relating to a first electronic apparatus from a plurality of users,

determining means for determining, from among the plurality of users, a second user having the first electronic apparatus information similar to that of a first user, and

transmitter means for transmitting control information for a second electronic apparatus of the second user to a second electronic apparatus of the first user.

2. A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiver means receives, from each user, operation information for a receiving device which, as the first electronic apparatus, receives broadcast data.

3. A communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the receiver means receives, as video and audio information from each user, the ID and replay time of a content replayed by the receiving device.

4. A communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the receiver means receives, as channel switching information from each user, the ID of a channel to which the receiving device is tuned, and channel switch time at which that tuned channel ID is changed.

5. A communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the receiver means receives, as recording information from each user, the ID and recording time of a content replayed by the receiving device and recorded in a recording medium.

6. A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiver means receives, from each user, operation information for a recording device which, as the first electronic apparatus records in a medium a content replayed by another reproducing device.

7. A communication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the receiver means receives, as recording information from each user, the ID and recording time of a content recorded in a recording medium by the recording device.

8. A communication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the receiver means receives, as preprogrammed recording information from each user, the ID of a content preprogrammed for recording by the recording device.

9. A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiver means receives, from each user, operation information for a reproducing device which, as the first electronic apparatus, replays a content recorded in a medium.

10. A communication apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the receiver means receives, as the operation information from each user, at least one of the function commands of replay, fast-forward, rewind, and pause given to the reproducing device and the time assigned for that function.

11. A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiver means receives, from each user, operation information for a terminal which, as the first electronic apparatus, communicates with an external apparatus.

12. A communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the receiver means receives, as browsing information from each user, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) representing a site which is browsed by the terminal.

13. A communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the receiver means receives, as download information from each user, a URL at which a file downloaded from the external apparatus by the terminal is stored.

14. A communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the receiver means receives, as upload information from each user, a URL at which a file and the ID of the file uploaded to the external apparatus by the terminal are stored.

15. A communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the receiver means receives, as bookmark information from each user, a URL that represents a site which is browsed and then bookmarked by the terminal.

16. A communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the receiver means receives, as edit information from each user, the ID of a file edited by the terminal and an edit ID identifying the type of edit.

17. A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiver means receives, from each user, operation information for a communication terminal which, as the first electronic apparatus, communicates with an external apparatus in a one-to-one communication.

18. A communication apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the receiver means receives, as service use information from each user, a service ID identifying ticket-booking information transmitted to the external apparatus from the communication terminal.

19. A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, operation information for a receiving device which, as the second electronic apparatus of the second user, receives broadcast data.

20. A communication apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, the ID of a channel to which the receiving device is tuned.

21. A communication apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, area information representing a target area of image data received and replayed by the receiving device.

22. A communication apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second apparatus of the first user, volume information representing the volume of audio data received and replayed by the receiving device.

23. A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second apparatus of the first user, operation information for a recording device which, as the second apparatus of the second user, records in a medium a content replayed by another reproducing device.

24. A communication apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the transmitter means transmits, as preprogrammed recording information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, the ID and recording time of a content recorded in the recording medium by the recording device.

25. A communication apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the transmitter means transmits, as preprogrammed recording information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, preprogrammed recording date and time information preprogrammed by the recording device.

26. A communication apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, digest information of the replayed content produced by the second user.

27. A communication apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, search index information of the replayed content produced by the second user.

28. A communication apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the transmitter means transmits, as delete information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, the ID of a deleted content from among contents recorded in the recording medium by the recording device.

29. A communication apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the transmitter means transmits, as title production information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, title information corresponding to the content produced by the second user and recorded in the recording medium.

30. A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, operation information for a terminal which, as the second electronic apparatus of the second user, communicates with an external apparatus.

31. A communication apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the transmitter means transmits, as browsing information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, a URL representing a site which is browsed by the terminal.

32. A communication apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the transmitter means transmits, as download information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, a URL at which a download file browsed by the terminal is stored.

33. A communication apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the transmitter means transmits, as bookmark information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, a URL which represents a site which is browsed and bookmarked by the terminal.

34. A communication apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the transmitter means transmits, as category information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, each category of a plurality of contents produced by the second user and stored in a recording medium in the terminal.

35. A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, operation information for a communication terminal which, as the second electronic apparatus of the second user, communicates with an external apparatus in a one-to-one communication.

36. A communication apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, an incoming call sound ID identifying an incoming call sound set in the communication terminal and replayed at the arrival of a call.

37. A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, a service ID identifying ticket-booking information transmitted to an external apparatus from the communication terminal.

38. A communication apparatus comprising:

receiver means for receiving user activity information from a plurality of users,

determining means for determining, from among the plurality of users, a second user having activity information which, received and collected by the receiver means, is similar to that of a first user, and

transmitter means for transmitting control information for a second electronic apparatus of the second user to a second electronic apparatus of the first user.

39. A communication apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the receiver means receives, from each user, the information of the position of the user as the activity information.

40. A communication apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the receiver means receives, as the activity information from each user, the information of the position of the user and identification information identifying a building in which the user is currently located.

41. A communication apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the receiver means receives, as the activity information from each user, information of the operation of an electronic apparatus by the user.

42. A communication apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the receiver means receives, as the activity information from each user, product purchase information that is detected when a credit card is used.

43. A communication apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the receiver means receives, as the activity information from each user, the identification information of a building in which the user is currently located.

44. A communication apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, operation information for a receiving device which, as the second electronic apparatus of the second user, receives broadcast data.

45. A communication apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, the ID of a channel to which the receiving device is tuned.

46. A communication apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, area information representing a target area of image data received and replayed by the receiving device.

47. A communication apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, volume information representing audio data received and replayed by the receiving device.

48. A communication apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, operation information for a recording device which, as the second electronic apparatus of the second user, records in a medium a content replayed by another reproducing device.

49. A communication apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, the ID and recording time of a content recorded by the recording device as preprogrammed recording information.

50. A communication apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the transmitter means transmits, as preprogrammed recording information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, preprogrammed recording date and time information preprogrammed by the recording device.

51. A communication apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, digest information of the replayed content produced by the second user.

52. A communication apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, search index information of the replayed content produced by the second user.

53. A communication apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the transmitter means transmits, as delete information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, the ID of a deleted content from among contents recorded in the recording medium by the recording device.

54. A communication apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the transmitter means transmits, as title production information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, title information corresponding to the content produced by the second user and recorded in the recording medium.

55. A communication apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, operation information for a terminal which, as the second electronic apparatus of the second user, communicates with an external apparatus.

56. A communication apparatus according to claim 55, wherein the transmitter means transmits, as browsing information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, a URL representing a site which is browsed by the terminal.

57. A communication apparatus according to claim 55, wherein the transmitter means transmits, as download information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, a URL at which a download file browsed by the terminal is stored.

58. A communication apparatus according to claim 55, wherein the transmitter means transmits, as bookmark information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, a URL that represents a site which is browsed and bookmarked by the terminal.

59. A communication apparatus according to claim 55, wherein the transmitter means transmits, as category information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, each category of a plurality of contents produced by the second user and stored in a recording medium in the terminal.

60. A communication apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, operation information for a communication terminal which, as the second electronic apparatus of the second user, communicates with an external apparatus in a one-to-one communication.

61. A communication apparatus according to claim 60, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, an incoming call sound ID identifying an incoming call sound set in the communication terminal and replayed at the arrival of a call.

62. A communication apparatus according to claim 60, wherein the transmitter means transmits, to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, a service ID identifying ticket-booking information transmitted to an external apparatus from the communication terminal.

63. A communication apparatus comprising:

receiver means for receiving first electronic apparatus information relating to a first electronic apparatus from a plurality of users,

determining means for determining, among the plurality of users, a second user having the first electronic apparatus information similar to that of a first user from, and

transmitter means for transmitting control information for a second electronic apparatus, corresponding to activity information of the second user, to a second electronic apparatus of the first user.

64. A communication apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the receiver means receives, from each user, operation information for a receiving device which, as the first electronic apparatus, receives broadcast data.

65. A communication apparatus according to claim 64, wherein the receiver means receives, as video and audio information from each user, the ID and replay time of an content replayed by the receiving device.

66. A communication apparatus according to claim 64, wherein the receiver means receives, as channel switching information from each user, the ID of a channel to which the receiving device is tuned, and channel switch time at which that tuned channel ID is changed.

67. A communication apparatus according to claim 64, wherein the receiver means receives, as recording information from each user, the ID and recording time of a content replayed by the receiving device and recorded in a recording medium.

68. A communication apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the receiver means receives, as the first electronic apparatus from each user, operation information for a recording device which records, in a medium, a content replayed by another reproducing device.

69. A communication apparatus according to claim 68, wherein the receiver means receives, as recording information from each user, the ID and recording time of a content recorded in a recording medium by the recording device.

70. A communication apparatus according to claim 64, wherein the receiver means receives, as preprogrammed recording information from each user, the ID of a content preprogrammed for recording by the recording device.

71. A communication apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the receiver means receives, from each user, operation information for a reproducing device which, as the first electronic apparatus, replays a content recorded in a medium.

72. A communication apparatus according to claim 71, wherein the receiver means receives, as the operation information from each user, at least one of the function commands of replay, fast-forward, rewind, and pause given to the reproducing device and the time assigned for that function.

73. A communication apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the receiver means receives, from each user, operation information for a terminal which, as the first electronic apparatus, communicates with an external apparatus.

74. A communication apparatus according to claim 73, wherein the receiver means receives, as browsing information from each user, a URL representing a site which is browsed by the terminal.

75. A communication apparatus according to claim 73, wherein the receiver means receives, as download information from each user, a URL at which a file downloaded from the external apparatus by the terminal is stored.

76. A communication apparatus according to claim 73, wherein the receiver means receives, as upload information from each user, a URL at which a file and the ID of the file uploaded to the external apparatus by the terminal are stored.

77. A communication apparatus according to claim 73, wherein the receiver means receives, as bookmark information from each user, a URL that represents a site which is browsed and bookmarked by the terminal.

78. A communication apparatus according to claim 73, wherein the receiver means receives, as edit information from each user, the ID of a file edited by the terminal and an edit ID identifying the type of edit.

79. A communication apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the receiver means receives, from each user, operation information for a communication terminal which, as the first electronic apparatus, communicates with an external apparatus in a one-to-one communication.

80. A communication apparatus according to claim 79, wherein the receiver means receives, as service use information from each user, a service ID identifying ticket-booking information transmitted to the external apparatus from the communication terminal.

81. A communication apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the transmitter means transmits, as control information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, information of the position of the second user, namely, the activity information of the second user.

82. A communication apparatus according to claim 81, wherein the transmitter means transmits, as the control information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, the information of the position of the user and the identification information identifying a building in which the user is currently located, as the activity information of the second user.

83. A communication apparatus according to claim 81, wherein the transmitter means transmits, as control information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, product purchase information that is detected as the activity information of the second user when a credit card is used.

84. A communication apparatus according to claim 83, wherein the transmitter means transmits, as control information to the second electronic apparatus of the first user, the product purchase information that is detected when the credit card is used, and the identification information identifying a building in which the user is currently located, as the activity information of the second user.

85. An electronic apparatus comprising:

receiver means for receiving control information for the electronic apparatus, and

control means for controlling the electronic apparatus based on the received control information,

wherein the control information includes control information for another electronic apparatus of a similar user, and wherein electronic apparatus information of the similar user of the other electronic apparatus is similar to that of a user of the electronic apparatus.

86. An electronic apparatus according to claim 85, wherein the receiver means receives operation information for a receiving device which, as the other electronic apparatus of the similar user, receives broadcast data, and

the control means controls a receiving device as the electronic apparatus in response to the received operation information.

87. An electronic apparatus according to claim 86, wherein the receiver means receives, as channel information, the ID of a channel to which the receiving device of the similar user is tuned, and

the control means controls a tuning operation in the receiving device as the electronic apparatus in response to the channel ID.

88. An electronic apparatus according to claim 86, wherein the receiver means receives area information of image data received and replayed by the receiving device of the similar user, and

the control means performs a resolution setting process on the image data corresponding to the area information.

89. An electronic apparatus according to claim 86, wherein the receiver means receives volume information representing the volume of audio data received and replayed by the receiving device of the similar user, and

the control means controls the volume of the audio data in the receiving device as the electronic apparatus in response to the volume information.

90. An electronic apparatus according to claim 85, wherein the receiver means receives operation information for a recording device which, as the other electronic apparatus of the similar user, records in a medium a content replayed by a reproducing device, and

the control means controls a recording device as the electronic apparatus in response to the received operation information.

91. An electronic apparatus according to claim 90, wherein the receiver means receives, as preprogrammed recording information, the ID and recording time of a content which is recorded in a recording medium by the recording device of the similar user, and

the control means controls the setting of the preprogrammed recording in the recording device as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the ID and the recording time of the content.

92. An electronic apparatus according to claim 90, wherein the receiver means receives, as preprogrammed recording information, recording date and time information preprogrammed by the recording device of the similar user, and

the control means controls the setting of the preprogrammed recording in the recording device of the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received preprogrammed recording information.

93. An electronic apparatus according to claim 90, wherein the receiver means receives digest information of a replayed content produced by the similar user, and

the control means controls the production of the digest of the content in accordance with the digest information.

94. An electronic apparatus according to claim 90, wherein the receiver means receives search index information of a replayed content produced by the similar user, and

the control means controls the production of the search index of the content in accordance with the received search index.

95. An electronic apparatus according to claim 90, wherein the receiver means receives, as delete information, the ID of a deleted content from among contents recorded in the recording medium by the recording device of the similar user, and

the control means controls the recording device as the electronic apparatus to delete the content therewithin in accordance with the content ID of the received delete information.

96. An electronic apparatus according to claim 90, wherein the receiver means receives title information corresponding to a content stored in the recording medium by the recording device of the similar user, and

the control means controls the recording device as the electronic apparatus to automatically produce the title of the content to be recorded in the recording device in accordance with the title information.

97. An electronic apparatus according to claim 86, wherein the receiver means receives the operation information for a terminal which, as the other electronic apparatus of the similar user, communicates with an external apparatus, and

the control means controls a terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received operation information.

98. An electronic apparatus according to claim 97, wherein the receiver means receives, as browsing information, a URL representing a site which is browsed by the terminal of the similar user, and

the control means controls a browsing operation in a terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received URL.

99. An electronic apparatus according to claim 97, wherein the receiver means receives, as download information, a URL at which a download file downloaded from an external apparatus by the terminal of the similar user is stored, and

the control means controls a download operation in a terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received URL.

100. An electronic apparatus according to claim 97, wherein the receiver means receives, as bookmark information, a URL representing a site which is browsed and bookmarked by the terminal of the similar user, and

the control means controls the registration of a bookmark in a terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received URL.

101. An electronic apparatus according to claim 97, wherein the receiver means receives, as category information, each category of a plurality of contents produced by the similar user and stored in a recording medium in the terminal, and

the control means controls a terminal as the electronic apparatus to automatically categorize the plurality of contents to be stored in the recording medium of the terminal in accordance with the received category information.

102. An electronic apparatus according to claim 85, wherein the receiver means receives operation information for a communication terminal which, as the other electronic apparatus of the similar user, communicates with an external apparatus in a one-to-one communication, and

the control means controls a communication terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received operation information.

103. An electronic apparatus according to claim 102, wherein the receiver means receives an incoming call sound ID identifying an incoming call sound set and replayed at the arrival of a call in the communication terminal of the similar user, and

the control means controls the setting of the incoming call sound in the communication terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received incoming call sound ID.

104. An electronic apparatus according to claim 102, wherein the receiver means receives a service ID identifying ticket-booking information transmitted to an external apparatus from the communication terminal of the similar user, and

the control means controls the communication terminal as the electronic apparatus to transmit the ticket-booking information corresponding to the received service ID.

105. An electronic apparatus according to claim 85, wherein the receiver means receives, as the activity information of the similar user, user position information, and

the control means controls the electronic apparatus to notify the user of the electronic apparatus that the user is located in the vicinity of a location indicated by the received position information when the user is so located.

106. An electronic apparatus according to claim 105, wherein the receiver means receives, as the activity information of the similar user, position information and identification information of a building in which the user is currently located, and

the control means controls the electronic apparatus to notify the user of the electronic apparatus that the user is located in the vicinity of a location indicated by the received position information and the building.

107. An electronic apparatus according to claim 105, wherein the receiver means receives, as the activity information of the similar user, product purchase information that is detected when the user uses a credit card,

and the control means controls the electronic apparatus to outwardly transmit advance order information to order a product in response to the received product purchase information.

108. An electronic apparatus comprising:

receiver means for receiving control information for controlling the electronic apparatus, and

control means for controlling the electronic apparatus based on the received control information,

wherein the control information includes control information for another electronic apparatus of a similar user, and wherein activity information of the similar user is similar to that of a user of the electronic apparatus.

109. An electronic apparatus according to claim 108, wherein the receiver means receives operation information for a receiving device which, as the other electronic apparatus of the similar user, receives broadcast data, and

the control means controls a receiving device as the electronic apparatus in response to the received operation information.

110. An electronic apparatus according to claim 109, wherein the receiver means receives, as channel information, the ID of a channel to which the receiving device of the similar user is tuned, and

the control means controls a tuning operation in the receiving device as the electronic apparatus in response to the channel ID.

111. An electronic apparatus according to claim 109, wherein the receiver means receives area information of image data received and replayed by the receiving device of the similar user, and

the control means performs a resolution setting process on the image data corresponding to the received area information.

112. An electronic apparatus according to claim 109, wherein the receiver means receives volume information representing the volume of audio data received and replayed by the receiving device of the similar user, and

the control means controls the volume of the audio data in the receiving device as the electronic apparatus in response to the volume information.

113. An electronic apparatus according to claim 108, wherein the receiver means receives operation information for a recording device which, as the other electronic apparatus of the similar user, records in a medium a content replayed by a reproducing device, and

the control means controls a recording device as the electronic apparatus in response to the received operation information.

114. An electronic apparatus according to claim 113, wherein the receiver means receives, as preprogrammed recording information, the ID and recording time of a content which is recorded in a recording medium by the recording device of the similar user, and

the control means controls the setting of the preprogrammed recording in the recording device as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received ID and the recording time of the content.

115. An electronic apparatus according to claim 113, wherein the receiver means receives, as preprogrammed recording information, recording date and time information preprogrammed by the recording device of the similar user, and

the control means controls the setting of the preprogrammed recording in the recording device as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received preprogrammed recording date and time information.

116. An electronic apparatus according to claim 113, wherein the receiver means receives digest information of a replayed content produced by the similar user, and

the control means controls the production of the digest of the content in accordance with the received digest information.

117. An electronic apparatus according to claim 113, wherein the receiver means receives search index information of a replayed content produced by the similar user, and

the control means controls the production of the search index of the content in accordance with the received search index.

118. An electronic apparatus according to claim 113, wherein the receiver means receives, as delete information, the ID of a deleted content from among contents recorded in the recording medium by the recording device of the similar user, and

the control means controls the recording device as the electronic apparatus to delete the content therewithin in accordance with the received content ID.

119. An electronic apparatus according to claim 113, wherein the receiver means receives title information corresponding to a content stored in the recording medium by the recording device of the similar user, and

the control means controls the recording device as the electronic apparatus to automatically produce the title of the content to be recorded in the recording device in accordance with the received title information.

120. An electronic apparatus according to claim 108, wherein the receiver means receives the operation information for a terminal which, as the other electronic apparatus of the similar user, communicates with an external apparatus, and

the control means controls a terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received operation information.

121. An electronic apparatus according to claim 120, wherein the receiver means receives, as browsing information, a URL representing a site which is browsed by the terminal of the similar user, and

the control means controls a browsing operation in a terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received URL.

122. An electronic apparatus according to claim 120, wherein the receiver means receives, as download information, a URL at which a download file downloaded from an external apparatus by the terminal of the similar user is stored, and

the control means controls a download operation in a terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received URL.

123. An electronic apparatus according to claim 120, wherein the receiver means receives, as bookmark information, a URL representing a site which is browsed and bookmarked by the terminal of the similar user, and

the control means controls the registration of a bookmark in a terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received URL.

124. An electronic apparatus according to claim 120, wherein the receiver means receives, as category information, each category of a plurality of contents produced by the similar user and stored in a recording medium in the terminal, and

the control means controls a terminal as the electronic apparatus to automatically categorize the plurality of contents to be stored in the recording medium of the terminal in accordance with the received category information.

125. An electronic apparatus according to claim 108, wherein the receiver means receives operation information for a communication terminal which, as the other electronic apparatus of the similar user, communicates with an external apparatus in a one-to-one communication, and

the control means controls a communication terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received operation information.

126. An electronic apparatus according to claim 125, wherein the receiver means receives an incoming call sound ID identifying an incoming call sound set and replayed at the arrival of a call in the communication terminal of the similar user, and

the control means controls the setting of the incoming call sound in the communication terminal as the electronic apparatus in accordance with the received incoming call sound ID.

127. An electronic apparatus according to claim 125, wherein the receiver means receives a service ID identifying ticket-booking information transmitted to an external apparatus from the communication terminal of the similar user, and

the control means controls the communication terminal as the electronic apparatus to transmit the ticket-booking information corresponding to the received service ID.

128. An electronic apparatus according to claim 108, wherein the receiver means receives user position information as the activity information of the similar user, and

the control means controls the electronic apparatus'"'"' to notify the user of the electronic apparatus that the user is located in the vicinity of a location indicated by the received position information when the user is so located.

129. An electronic apparatus according to claim 128, wherein the receiver means receives, as the activity information of the similar user, user position information and identification information of a building in which the user is currently located, and

the control means controls the electronic apparatus to notify the user of the electronic apparatus that the user is located in the vicinity of a location indicated by the received position information and the building.

130. An electronic apparatus according to claim 128, wherein the receiver means receives, as the activity information of the similar user, product purchase information that is detected when the user uses a credit card,

and the control means controls the electronic apparatus to actually transmit advance order information to order a product in response to the received product purchase information.

131. A communication method comprising:

a receiving step of receiving first electronic apparatus information relating to a first electronic apparatus from a plurality of users,

a determining step of determining, from among the plurality of users, a second user having the first electronic apparatus information similar to that of a first user, and

a transmitting step of transmitting control information for a second electronic apparatus of the second user to a second electronic apparatus of the first user.

132. A communication method comprising:

a receiving step of receiving user activity information from a plurality of users,

a determining step of determining, from among the plurality of users, a second user having activity information which, received and collected in the receiving step, is similar to that of a first user, and

a transmitting step of transmitting control information for a second electronic apparatus of the second user to a second electronic apparatus of the first user.

133. A communication method comprising:

a receiving step of receiving first electronic apparatus information relating to a first electronic apparatus from a plurality of users,

a determining step of determining, from among the plurality of users, a second user having the first electronic apparatus information similar to that of a first user, and

a transmitting step of transmitting control information for a second electronic apparatus, corresponding to activity information of the second user, to a second electronic apparatus of the first user.

134. A control method for controlling an electronic apparatus, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving control information for controlling the electronic apparatus, and

a controlling step of controlling the electronic apparatus based on the received control information,

wherein the control information includes control information for another electronic apparatus of a similar user, and wherein electronic apparatus information of the similar user of the other electronic apparatus is similar to that of a user of the electronic apparatus.

135. A control method for controlling an electronic apparatus, comprising:

a receiving step of receiving control information for controlling the electronic apparatus, and

a controlling step of controlling the electronic apparatus based on the received control information,

wherein the control information includes control information for another electronic apparatus of a similar user, and wherein activity information of the similar user is similar to that of a user of the electronic apparatus.

136. A storage medium physically storing a computer readable software program into which a process for controlling an electronic apparatus for a single user based on control information of electronic apparatuses of a plurality of users is written to be executed on a computer system, the computer software program comprising:

a receiving step of receiving first electronic apparatus information relating to a first electronic apparatus from a plurality of users,

a determining step of determining, from among the plurality of users, a second user having the first electronic apparatus information similar to that of a first user, and

a transmitting step of transmitting control information for a second electronic apparatus of the second user to a second electronic apparatus of the first user.

137. A storage medium physically storing a computer readable software program into which a process for controlling an electronic apparatus for a single user based on activity information of a plurality of users is written to be executed on a computer system, the computer software program comprising:

a receiving step of receiving user activity information from a plurality of users,

a determining step of determining, from among the plurality of users, a second user having activity information which, received and collected in the receiving step, is similar to that of a first user, and

a transmitting step of transmitting control information for a second electronic apparatus of the second user to a second electronic apparatus of the first user.

138. A storage medium physically storing a computer readable software program into which a process for controlling an electronic apparatus for a single user based on electronic apparatus information of a plurality of users is written to be executed on a computer system, the computer software program comprising:

a receiving step of receiving first electronic apparatus information relating to a first electronic apparatus from a plurality of users,

a determining step of determining, from among the plurality of users, a second user having the first electronic apparatus information similar to that of a first user, and

a transmitting step of transmitting control information for a second electronic apparatus corresponding to activity information of the second user to a second electronic apparatus of the first user.

139. A storage medium physically storing a computer readable software program into which a process for controlling an electronic apparatus for a single user based on control information of an electronic apparatus of a similar user is written to be executed on a computer system, the computer software program comprising:

a receiving step of receiving control information for controlling the electronic apparatus, and

a controlling step of controlling the electronic apparatus based on the received control information,

wherein the control information includes control information for another electronic apparatus of a similar user, and wherein electronic apparatus information of the similar user of the other electronic apparatus is similar to that of a user of the electronic apparatus.

140. A storage medium physically storing a computer readable software program into which a process for controlling an electronic apparatus for a single user based on activity information of a similar user is written to be executed on a computer system, the computer software program comprising:

a receiving step of receiving control information for controlling the electronic apparatus, and

a controlling step of controlling the electronic apparatus based on the received control information,

wherein the control information includes control information for another electronic apparatus of a similar user, and wherein activity information of the similar user is similar to that of a user of the electronic apparatus.